SMILE by Isabelle Beeson (1977)

A smile is such a precious thing and yet

It doesn’t cost you anything

For all the joy you’ll get

In making someone happy

With your sunny, pleasant smile,

Just try it on for size you’ll see

It makes your life worthwhile.

So when you’re feeling grumpy

And your whole world looks blue,

Don’t take it out on others

Here’s what you should do,

Just take a smile and try it on

And if it fits, it won’t be long

Till others smile along with you

It doesn’t hurt,

It’s good for you

A QUIET THOUGHT

GOOD TIMES-BAD TIMES
On our journey through life we have good times and bad,

We all have happy times we all have sad,

One thing is certain one thing is sure

Our Lord above helps us them to endure.

He is there to protect us he is there to care

All of our problems he is ready to share.

We sometimes don’t realise how lucky we are,

For the one above is not very far,

We are bound to have problems from day to day

But he is always there to show us the way.

We all need more faith to help us get by

And learn to laugh as well as to cry.

To learn to speak, to learn to say

We must also learn the way to pray,

Not just when the troubles are there

And we feel our cares we can no longer bear.

But other times when life is worth living

And we have the chance to practice some giving.

To learn to give as well as take

Is good for us all for all our sake,

We are all God’s children of this there’s no doubt

The Lord’s word is there for all to read about.

So when you have a care and feel the need for love

Just close your eyes and pray to our Lord the one above.

A PRAYER FOR THE DAY

Lighten our darkness oh Lord we do pray

Make us aware of your presence each day

Teach us oh Lord the right paths for to tread

To face the unknown without any dread.

Help us to face life just as it seems

And learn reality instead of just dreams.

Help us to care oh Lord we do pray

Show us your wisdom, show us the way,

Help us to look for the good things in life

And try to end war and the entire world’s strife.

There’s so much around for which to give praise

Enough to last us all of our days.

Keep us in your thoughts oh Lord we do pray

Accept the love we give and let it with you stay,

Love is so much needed in this world we live

And if we stop to think, so much we all can give.

There is always some-one who needs a helping hand

From the very poor to those who live so grand

Teach us tolerance oh Lord we pray

Guide us to right the wrongs that many people say,

Let us see the beauty instead of all the bad

And remember all the good days and happy times we’ve had.

So if you see us stop and stare into a far wide space

It’s only that we’re so aware of your loving and your grace.

SUSSEX

SUSSEX

It’s good to live in Sussex, good old Sussex by the sea

This beautiful county means such a lot to me

The scenic views, the hills, the downs,

Mean more to me than jewelled crowns.

Our seaside towns are visited yearly

By folk who love the county dearly.

Summer and winter, they come to stay

Be it a fortnight, a week or even a day.

They come for the beaches, they come for the sands

They come to the promenade and hope to hear the bands

I don’t think I’m biased and really not forlorn

Because my adopted home is the town of Eastbourne.

The hamlets nearby we try and advertise

Some are simply an artist’s paradise.

They are quaint and old with beauty galore

And folk go away with memories to store.

A well- known beauty spot near my homestead

Are the cliffs and downs of Beachy Head?

The views from the top on a very clear day

Are so picturesque one can see Pevensey Bay?

For visitors all enjoy our great sights

From sea level or up on the heights

Yes Sussex is truly a county to treasure

It gives just everyone so much pleasure.

LIFE

                                               

We are put on this earth from the day of our birth

For some special reason I’m sure

We may not know it or even show it

But many have loads to endure.

These crosses are there for us to bear

And only our Lord knows why

He decides the part in life we play

And when it comes the time to die.

It’s the same for everything in life

The animals, flowers, birds and trees

They give us pleasure their beauty to show

And help to pour oil on troubled seas

The beauty is there for all to see

But sadly never very often seen,

The Spring, Summer, Autumn and winter

Should all seem wondrous not just to me.

When the clouds in the sky are a beautiful hue

We expect a day of good weather

We shouldn’t expect we should just give praise

To take things for granted we should never.

Appreciate life that’s the rule

And live every minute of perfection,

Take advantage of all that’s around you

And you’ll find there’s a good selection.

It doesn’t matter what colour we are

For ultimately we’re all made the same,

Our Lord the barriers doesn’t put there

So it’s not him we have to blame,

For the discord, war and hatred is self made

It doesn’t take a scholar to see

That peace and serenity is everywhere

So to live in harmony is for you and me